It’s another weekly episode of Legal Defense with attorneys John Birdsall and Kirk Obear on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan! The show begins with a discussion of the excellent Netflix documentary “13th” directed by Ava DuVernay, which examines mass incarceration in the United States, and the historical roots of the problem. Using the film as a jumping-off point, John and Kirk discuss what the prison system in Wisconsin looks like, and what role private prisons play in facilitating mass incarceration. They examine the use of prison inmates for cheap manufacturing labor, and what type of challenges ex-convicts face when released, such as prohibitions on voting rights. Tune in next week for an all new episode, and don’t forget that all previous episodes of Legal Defense are available for free on our website: www.birdsall-law.com/legal-blog

It’s another weekly episode of Legal Defense with attorneys John Birdsall and Kirk Obear on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan! John and Kirk discuss some of the evolving theories on community policing practices, and how this topic has been covered by the presidential candidates this election cycle. They delve deeper into the comments that Donald Trump has put forward regarding criminal justice reform, and in particular, his largely inaccurate portrayal of ballooning crime rates nationwide. Don’t forget to tune in each week for a brand new episode of Legal Defense! All episodes are available shortly after airing, right here on our website: www.birdsall-law.com/legal-blog.

It’s another episode of Legal Defense with attorneys John Birdsall and Kirk Obear on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan! John starts off the show talking about the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, which provides shelter and counseling for Milwaukee’s homeless population. Kirk then discusses a conference he recently hosted for Wisconsin area defense attorneys, in which once of the topics covered was the proliferation of Title IX cases involving sexual assault on college campuses. John and Kirk tackle the intricacies of the Department of Education’s 2010 expansion of Title IX’s scope, and what impact that has had on the burden of proof in assault cases. The second half of the show covers the questionable reliability of fingerprints in identifying defendants, and the shaky science on which they’re use in trials is based.

It’s another episode of Legal Defense with attorneys John Birdsall and Kirk Obear on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan! After several weeks of running the show solo, both attorneys are back together to discuss legal topics from Wisconsin and around the nation. They begin with coverage of a new book by former Manitowoc County assistant prosecutor Michael Griesbach, which examines the Steven Avery case from a new perspective. The second topic of the show takes a look at how courts in Wisconsin have been permitting character evidence through what is known as the “greater latitude rule,” and what impact this has had on convictions in the state. The latter half of the show investigates the high number of incarcerations in Deerborn County, Indiana that far exceed per capita numbers around the country. John and Kirk take a look at why trends like this occur, and how other states such as Wisconsin have tapered construction of new prisons.

Another week, another episode of Legal Defense with attorneys John Birdsall and Kirk Obear on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan. Kirk and John are now co-hosts of Legal Defense and will continue going forward bringing you cutting edge legal analysis that’s easy to understand. This week John reports from Wyoming prior to Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College program!!

It’s another episode of Legal Defense with attorneys John Birdsall and Kirk Obear on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan! The attorneys start off with a recap of the most recent events in the sagas of Brendan Dassey and Steven Avery – the men at the center of the investigative series ‘Making a Murderer.’ John and Kirk discuss the habeus corpus petition filed on behalf of Dassey that was recently granted by a Federal magistrate judge. In the show’s latter half, they tackle policing reforms around the country, focusing on findings by the Justice Department of pervasive misconduct by law enforcement in cities such as Baltimore.

Another week, another episode of Legal Defense with attorneys John Birdsall and Kirk Obear on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan. Kirk and John are now co-hosts of Legal Defense and will continue going forward bringing you cutting edge legal analysis that’s easy to understand.

Another week, another episode of Legal Defense on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan. Kirk Obear is out this week, so John Birdsall runs the show solo. He discusses the tension over shootings of unarmed black men by law enforcement officials, and how the issue has worked its way into the rhetoric of the presidential candidates. In the second half of this week’s episode, John examines the role that criminal justice reform will play in the upcoming presidential election, and what issues, such as mass incarceration and mandatory minimum sentencing, ought to be addressed at the national level by Democrats and Republicans. Don’t forget to tune in next week as Kirk rejoins the show with some special guests, and John takes off for a trip to Wyoming!

Another week, another episode of Legal Defense with attorneys John Birdsall and Kirk Obear on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan. The show begins with a discussion of the Stingray technology used by law enforcement which can triangulate locations of suspects within several feet, via their cell phone. John and Kirk debate the civil liberties pitfalls of the device, and how recent court rulings have affected its use in investigations.

Another week, another episode of Legal Defense with attorneys John Birdsall and Kirk Obear on 101.5 FM WHBL Sheboygan. They start off discussing shootings by police in Baton Rouge and Minnesota, and debate the escalation of tension in each circumstance that led the officers to use lethal force. In the show’s second portion, John and Kirk expand on how and when police officers are supposed to use their firearms while on duty, and what the repercussions for misuse ought to be. They also examine the debate over whether cops should use body cameras, and what impact on fatal shootings the technology may have. The latter half of the show takes a look at the scandal surrounding the Boy Scouts of America, and allegations that the organization hid reports of child abuse by Scout leaders in so-called ‘Perversion Files.’